Massaging machine

ABSTRACT

A spring suspended flexible platform on which the person to be massaged lies. On the stand and beneath the platform is a rail for a reciprocating carriage moved back and forth by a motorized mechanism. On the carriage are spring pressed rollers which resiliently press upwardly against the underside of the platform to massage the person lying on the platform. The platform has side aprons to prevent the person thereon from moving his arms or legs down inside the stand, to thereby prevent contact with moving parts of the carriage or rollers.

United States Patent 1151 3,687,133 Grubelic 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [54]MASSAGING MACHINE 2,841,139 7/1958 Tarr ..128/57 X Inventor: Nicholas T.Grubelic, 4 w 2,909,173 10/1959 Anderson ..128/57 X 124th St., NorthMiami, Fla. 33168 Pri E La w T mary xammerwrence rapp [22] Filed: Nov.27, 1970 Atwmey J Felshin [21] Appl. No.: 93,123

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..128/58 A spring suspended flexible platformon which the [51] Int. Cl. ..A61h 11/00 person to be massaged lies. Onthe stand and beneath [58] Field of Search ..128/57, 51, 52, 243, 58 theplatform is a rail for a reciprocating carriage moved back and forth bya motorized mechanism. On [56] References Clted the carriage are springpressed rollers which resiliently UNITED STATES PATENTS press upwardlyagainst the underside of the platform to massage the person lying on theplatform. The plat- 2,204,624 6/1940 Rupp form has side aprons toprevent the person thereon from moving anns or legs down inside thestand to 2,841,141 7/1958 l-ludgms ..128/57 thereby prevent Contact withmoving parts of the cap 3,238,936 3/ 1966 S1edentop ..128/57 X riage orrollers 3,322,116 /1967 Murphy et a1. ..128/57 X 2,175,614 /1939Redfield ..128/57 Claims, 9 Drawing figures 1 KW {Z7 I?/-'\:x"r\

V I 727 lid 34 //2 M Ii m w s===- I #2 6 #7 f ,6 M 0 a 39 f .Q 77 i 4 407 sir 4 1 3 1 .11 44 w w 42 ii w a H Z/ If F Z/ I 20 H) m" b PATENTEDM1829 m2 SHEET t 0F 4 INVENTOR. 44070645 T620551 IC MASSAGING MAC Thisinvention relates to massaging apparatus.

An object of this invention is to provide in apparatus of the characterdescribed a stand having inclined rail means at the inside of the stand,to support a reciprocating carriage, and motorized means forreciprocating the carriage.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a massaging apparatusof the character described, a canvas or other flexible sheet platformresiliently mounted on the stand, and resiliently mounted means on thecarriage to massage a person lying on the platform.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in apparatus of thecharacter described, a sheet platform having side aprons to protect thearms and legs of the user.

Still another object of this invention' is to provide in apparatus ofthe character described, means to accommodate persons of differentheight.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in apparatus ofthe character described, a sheet platform having a head a neck rest,with spring suspension means, to add to the comfort of the person usingthe apparatus, and means for the platform to fit the general contours ofthe persons body.

Another object of this invention is to provide in apparatus of thecharacter described, a plurality of rollers which are floatingly andresiliently supported, so that the rollers will contact the underside ofthe platform and follow the contours of the users body, as the carriageis reciprocated.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of thecharacter described, a platform which is shaped and contoured to theshape of a persons body, and which is padded to accommodate sensitivepersons.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in apparatus of thecharacter described, rollers that are strung on flexible cards that areresiliently pulled outwardly at outer ends, whereby the rollers willgive and conform to the persons contours.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a strong, ruggedand durable machine of the character described, which shall safely,comfortably and successfully massage and relax a person, and stimulateblood circulation, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture,which shall be comfortable in use and yet practical and efiicient to ahigh degree.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrativeembodiments of this invention,

FIG. 1 is a vertical, longitudinal cross-sectional view of a massagingmachine or apparatus embodying the invention; and showing a personthereon, in dot-dash lines;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the reciprocating carriage forming part ofthe machine embodying the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of the apparatus embodying theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial, enlarged top plan view of a roller and its support;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a roller support; and

FIG. 9 is a partial, enlarged top plan view of rollers on a flexiblecord.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates a machineembodying the invention, for massaging a person 11 lying on the machine.

Said machine 10 comprises a stand 12. Said stand 12 comprises a verticalfront wall 13, a vertical rear wall 14 and parallel side walls 15. Thelower edges of said walls are in the same horizontal plane. However, theside walls 15 have upwardly and rearwardly inclined upper edges 15a. Theinclination of edges 15a may be between 15 and 20 to the horizontal ifdesired. Walls 13, 14, 15 may be firmly attached together in anysuitable manner.

Fixed to the inner surfaces of side walls 15 are angle shaped rails 16.Rails 16 are parallel to each other and in the same plane and areparallel to the upper edges 15a of said side walls. Hence the rails arealso inclined rearwardly and upwardly. I

Attached to wall 13 and adjacent portions of walls 15 is a transversehorizontal support 17 carrying rollers or casters 18 which projectslightly below the lower edges of the stand. A similar transversesupport 19 interconnects walls 15 adjacent wall 14, and supports rollersor casters 20 which project slightly below the stand. The stand can thusbe easily moved around.

Also interconnecting walls 15 near the support 19 are angle shapedbrackets 21 supporting an electric motor 22 and gear box 23 providedwith a horizontal transverse drive shaft 24 to which a crank arm 25 isfixed.

Mounted on rails 16 for reciprocation thereon, is a carriage 30. Saidcarriage comprises, a rectangular frame 31. Said frame 31 comprises apair of longitudinal, parallel, coextensive side angle members 32,interconnected at one end by a transverse angle shaped member 33 and byspaced parallel transverse angle shaped members 34, 35, 36. Transversemembers 33, 34, 35, 36 are downwardly depressed at their centralportions. The shape of said members is as shown for member 35 in FIG. 3.Mounted on and fixed to the central portions of said transverse members33, 34, 35 are a pair of longitudinal, parallel, spaced, symmetricallydisposed angle members 37. Members 37 are located below the level of theside frame members 32. Transverse member 34 is spaced from the rear endsof side frame members 32. The central portions and the outer ends oftransverse members 33, 34, 35, 36 are horizontal. The longitudinalmembers 37 are fixed to the central depressed horizontal portions ofsaid members 33, 34%, 35, 36. The longitudinal members 32 are fixed onthe outer ends of said transverse members. Also fixed on the outer endhorizontal portions of said transverse members are longitudinal anglemembers 38 symmetrical with respect to and coextensive with saidlongitudinal members 32. Both members 32 and 38 extend beyond transversemember 34. The extending portions of said members 32, 38 areinterconnected by a pair of parallel, symmetrical straight transverseangle members 3%, 40. The vertical flanges of angle members 32 are cutaway to accommodate angle members 39, 49.

The undersides of the central, horizontal portions of transverse members35, 36 are interconnected by a pair of parallel straight longitudinalangle members 42 somewhat further spaced apart than members 37. Members42 carry a transverse pin 43. A connecting link 44 interconnects a pin45 at the outer end of the crank arm, with said pin 43.

Diverging arms 46 are riveted to link 44 as by rivets 47, spread out andpivotally engage said pin 43 at their forward ends, as shown in FIG. 5.Spaced sleeves 48 on pin 43 are interposed between members 46 and theconnecting link 44.

Roller or caster assemblies 9 50 at the undersides of the ends of framemembers 32 have rollers casters or wheels 51 resting on rails 16.

Thus, as the motor operates, the crank 25 will reciprocate the carriageback and forth in an inclined direction, to move said carriagerearwardly and upwardly and forwardly and downwardly, for the purposeshereinafter appearing.

The apparatus is provided with a flexible platform 55 on which theperson to be massaged can lie. Said platform comprises a central sheet56 such as canvas, which may be contoured longitudinally andtransversely to correspond generally to the shape of an average humanadult body. stitched to side edges of sheet 56, as at 57, are sideaprons Fixed to the upper edges of the side walls of the stand are topledges 60 having inner forwardly converging edges 61. These ledges runthe entire length of the stand and rest, at their rear ends of the topedge of rear wall 14, and at their front ends, on the upper edge offront wall 13, thereby reinforcing the stand, The side aprons 58 aredisposed below the ledges 60. At their front ends ledges 60 haveparallel inner edges 62.

Means is provided to resiliently suspend the platform at the top of thestand. To this end, said side flaps or aprons 58 have lines of spacedgrommets 64 adjacent to outer edges 58a of the aprons or flaps 58. Fixedto the undersides of the ledges 60 and extending downwardly therefromare lines of eye-fittings 67 staggered with respect to said grommets 6%.At each side of the apparatus, a cord 68 alternately passes through theeyes 67 and grommets 64. One end of each cord 68 is connected by a coiltension spring 6% to an anchoring hook or eye 70 at the upper end of thefront wall. The other end of each cord 68 is anchored to a hook or eye71 attached to the underside of shelf 60 and located near the head endof the stand. The cords 68 thus pull the flaps or aprons and centralportion 56 of the platform outwardly toward flat condition.

The foot end of platform portion 56 is connected to the upper end offront wall 13 by a cord 75 which passes through grommets 76 in theplatform and through eyes 7'7 fixed to the inside of the upper end ofsaid front wall.

Stitched or otherwise, connected to the head end of platform portion 56,as at 78, is a T-shaped head and neck rest piece 7 of canvas having anarrowed, central, head rest portion $0. This head rest portion 80 isresiliently attached to the ledge 60 by coil tension springs 81. Portion79 of the platform has grommets 82. A cord $3 passes through thegrommets 82 and beneath the central portion of member 79, and its endsare connected to the ledges 6th by coil tension springs $5.

The central portion 5d of the platform has, at each side where it isstitched to the aprons 58 by lines of stitching 57, flaps 5% formed withpairs of closely spaced grommets 85 and with end grommets $6. Cords 87are woven in and out of the grommets 85, 86. At the foot end of thestand, each cord 87 is anchored through a coil tension spring 8%, to ahook on eye hi) on the ledge dd. The other end of each cord 87 passesaround a pulley M attached to an anchoring eye 92, and is connected to acoil tension spring 93 connected to platform portion 79.

The entire platform is thus spring suspended and biased toward flattensioned condition.

A belt 95 attached to the platform, as at 96, 97, may be encircledaround the waistline of the user, as shown in FIG. 2.

Attached to the foot ends of the ledges 60 adjacent inner edges 62thereof, are longitudinal ratchets 100. A rod till placed in a pair ofaligned notches in the ratchets, acts as a foot support and can beadjusted to accommodate the user, depending upon his length.

Pivoted to the carriage 30 are a pair of rocker members or levers lid.One of these is shown in H6. 8. Each rocker member comprise a pair ofsimilar symmetrical rocker arms lllll attached together in spacedrelation by bolts H2. Spacer sleeves lll3'on said bolts keep the armsill in spaced relation. The arms ill have rear upwardly curved ends 1141and upwardly inclined forward ends 115. Nearer to their forward than totheir rear ends, said members are pivoted by transverse pins tile tovertical flanges of angle members 37. The forward ends of rockers 110are connected by coil tension springs 12!} to the lower ends of arms E21fixed to angle members 37, and extending downwardly therefrom. Springs12! tend to rotate the rockers lllll in clockwise directions about pins116 to bias their rear ends upwardly.

Pivoted to the rear rocker l lid about a pivol pin 124 at its rear end,and received between the members 11 l, is a rocker or lever 125 curvedupwardly at its ends. Pivoted to the ends of rocker 125 are a pair ofrocker arms 12d carrying pairs of rollers 127 at each of its ends.Rollers 127 contact the underside of the platform, so that as thecarriage is reciprocated, the person lying on the platform is massaged.Rocker arms 126 are attached together by screws 126a in spaced relation(FIG. 7), and rock in unison. Rockers 126 and their rollers i127comprise a unit 128. Unit 128 is connected to additional units 128, 123on the opposite sides thereof, by means of hook connectors 129 or by anyother suitable flexible connectors to permit the platform to be belliedor curved down in the middle as shown in FIG. 6. The end units 128 areconnected to upper ends of levers 3.34 pivoted as at Hill, atintermediate portions thereof to transverse bars 132 fixed to anglemembers 32, 38. The lower ends of levers 13th are connected by springs133 to angle members 37. Springs 133 are coil tension springs and biasthe tandem articulated units 128 to horizontal position. All the rollers127 resiliently press up against the underside of the platform andreciprocate with the carriage to massage the user of the machine orapparatus.

Pivoted to the forward end of rocker 125 is a line of rocker units 1413same as at its forward end. These are the same as described above forunits 123. They are also resiliently tensioned by means shown in FIG. 6.

The more forward rocker is pivoted at its rear end, as at 150, to arocking member 151. The rear end of rocking member 151 is pivotallyinterconnected to link by a pair of similar spaced links 152. A flexibletransverse cord 155(FIGS. 3 and 4) passes through openings in the pivot157 which pivotally connects link 151 with links 152. The outer ends ofcord 155 are attached to upper ends of levers 158.

Levers 158 are pivoted mediately the ends thereof, as at 159 tocross-pieces 160 fixed between angle members 32, 38. The lower ends oflevers 158 are connected by coil tension springs 160 to angle members37. Thus, springs 160 tend to stretch out or straighten cord 155. On thecord 155 are a plurality of rollers 161 contacting the underside of theplatform to massage the person lying on said platform. Between rollers161 are spacer sleeves 161a as shown in FIG. 9.

The forward end of rocker link 151 is pivoted as by pivot 165 to a pairof links 166 which are pivoted as by pivot 167 to a link 168, which, inturn, is pivoted, as by pivot 169, to a link 170. On pivots 165, 169,and on the forward end 171 of link 1711 are cords 155 similar to cord155 described above. Said cords are connected at their ends to levers158 which are pivoted, as at 159, to pieces 1611 supported on anglemembers 32, 38. The lower ends of said levers are connected by springs160 to angle members 37. On such cords 155 are mounted rockers 161 inthe same manner as shown in FIG. 3, except that on the cords 155 onpivots 157, 165, there are five rollers 161 on each side of the center,whereas on on the cords 155 passing through pivots 167, 169 and 171there are only four rollers 161 on each side of the center as shown inFIG. 4.

Cords 155 on pivot 157 are connected to a pair of units 1411, onopposite sides of the middle unit 140, by links 1813.

To the forward end of link 125 is pivoted, as at 185, a link 186. At theforward end of link 186 is mounted another transverse flexible cord 155carrying rollers 161 and connected to spring biased levers 158. As shownin FIG. 4, there are five rollers 161 on each side of the middle of thiscord 155.

To link 186 is pivoted a link 1911 carrying a short cord 191, attachedat its ends to levers 192 pivoted at intermediate points 193 to supportsbetween angle members 39, 40. The lower ends of the levers 192 arebiased toward each other by coil tension springs in the same manner assprings 133 draw levers 130.

There are two rollers 195 on each side of the center of cord 191.

Platform 55 may be padded if desired to accommodate sensitive people, asshown at 155a in FIG. 1.

it will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adaptedto meet the conditions of practica use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative.

I claim:

1. Massaging apparatus comprising, a stand, a flexible platform, meansfor mounting said platform on a stand, so that a person to be massagedmay lie thereon, rail means fixed to the stand, a carriage, means tomount said carriage for reciprocation on said rail means and beneathsaid platform, means to reciprocate said carriage, and massage meansmounted on said carriage for reciprocation therewith, and rubbingagainst the underside of said platform to press said platform againstthe person lying on the platform, as said carriage is beingreciprocated, said massage means comprising at least one transverseflexible support means including contact members arranged in tandem, andmeans to bias said flexible support means including members towardhorizontal position.

2. The combination of claim'1, said rail means, carriage and platformbeing inclined upwardly and toward the head end of the stand.

3. The combination of claim 1, and foot contact means on the stand,adjustable lengthwise of the stand, and against which the feet of saidperson lying on the platform may press.

4. The combination of claim 1, said means to reciprocate said carriagecomprising an electric motor and crank means connecting the drive shaftof said motor to said carriage.

5. The combination of claim 1, said massage means comprising meanspivoted to said carriage, and contact means on said pivoted meansengaging the underside of said platform.

6. The combination of claim 5, said contact means comprising rollermeans.

7. The combination of claim 6, and resilient means to move said pivotedmeans.

8. The combination of claim 1, and means for resiliently mounting saidmassage means on said carriage for up and down movement relative to saidcarriage, as said carriage is reciprocated.

9. The combination of claim 1, and means to resiliently press at leastsome of said members, upwardly.

111. The combination of claim 1, said rail means, carriage and platformbeing inclined upwardly and toward the head end of the stand, and footcontact means adjustably mounted on said stand and against which thefeet of the person lying on the platform may press.

11. The combination of claim 19, and means for resiliently mounting saidmassage means on said carriage for up and down movement relative to saidcarriage, as said carriage is reciprocated.

12. The combination of claim 11, said massage means comprising a.plurality of flexibly articulated rollers in tandem, and means toresiliently pull the ends of said articulated rollers outwardly.

13. The combination of claim 1, said massage means comprising a firstlever pivoted to the carriage, resilient means to rotate the firstlever, a second lever pivoted to the first lever, and rollers mounted onsaid second lever.

141. The combination of claim 1, said means for mounting said platformon said stand comprising resilient means.

15. Massaging apparatus comprising, a stand, a flexible platform, saidplatform comprising a central longitudinal sheet, aprons attached to thesides of said central sheet, means for mounting said platform on thestand, so that a person to be massaged may lie thereon, said means tomount said platform on said stand comprising resilient means connectingsaid central sheet with said stand, and resilient means connecting saidside aprons to said stand, rail means fixed to the stand, a carriage,means to mount said carriage for reciprocation on said rail means andbeneath said platform, means to reciprocate said carriage, and massagemeans mounted on said carriage for reciprocation therewith and rubbingagainst the underside of said platform to press said platform againstthe person lying on the platform, as said carriage is beingreciprocated.

16. The combination of claim 15, said platform further comprising a headrest attached to one end of said central portion and resilient means toconnect said head rest portion to said stand.

17. The combination of claim 1, said platform being contoured to theshape of a persons body.

18. The combination of claim 17, said platform being padded in severalplaces.

19. Massaging apparatus comprising, a stand, a flexible platform, meansfor mounting said platform on the stand, so that a person to be massagedmay lie thereon, rail means fixed to the stand, a carriage, a firstlever pivoted to said carriage, spring means to rotate said first lever,a second lever pivoted to said first lever, third and fourth leverspivoted to said second lever and rollers mounted on said third andfourth levers, means to mount said carriage for reciprocation on saidrail means and beneath said platform, means to reciprocate saidcarriage, and massage means mounted on said carriage for reciprocationtherewith, and rubbing against the underside of said platform to presssaid platform against the person lying on the platform, as said carriageis being reciprocated.

20. The combination of claim H wherein said flexible line is ofinterconnected line means.

1. Massaging apparatus comprising, a stand, a flexible platform, meansfor mounting said platform on a stand, so that a person to be massagedmay lie thereon, rail means fixed to the stand, a carriage, means tomount said carriage for reciprocation on said rail means and beneathsaid platform, means to reciprocate said carriage, and massage meansmounted on said carriage for reciprocation therewith, and rubbingagainst the underside of said platform to press said platform againstthe person lying on the platform, as said carriage is beingreciprocated, said massage means comprising at least one transverseflexible support means including contact members arranged in tandem, andmeans to bias said flexible support means including members towardhorizontal position.
 2. The combination of claim 1, said rail means,carriage and platform being inclined upwardly and toward the head end ofthe stand.
 3. The combination of claim 1, and foot contact means on thestand, adjustable lengthwise of the stand, and against which the feet ofsaid person lying on the platform may press.
 4. The combination of claim1, said means to reciprocate said carriage comprising an electric motorand crank means connecting the drive shaft of said motor to saidcarriage.
 5. The combination of claim 1, said massage means comprisingmeans pivoted to said carriage, and contact means on said pivoted meansengaging the underside of said platform.
 6. The combination of claim 5,said contact means comprising roller means.
 7. The combination of claim6, and resilient means to move said pivoted means.
 8. The combination ofclaim 1, and means for resiliently mounting said massage means on saidcarriage for up and down movement relative to said carriage, as saidcarriage is reciprocated.
 9. The combination of claim 1, and means toresiliently press at least some of said members, upwardly.
 10. Thecombination of claim 1, said rail means, carriage and platform beinginclined upwardly and toward the head end of the stand, and foot contactmeans adjustably mounted on said stand and against which the feet of theperson lying on the platform may press.
 11. The combination of claim 10,and means for resiliently mounting said massage means on said carriagefor up and down movement relative to said carriage, as said carriage isreciprocated.
 12. The combination of claim 11, said massage meanscomprising a plurality of flexibly articulated rollers in tandem, andmeans to resiliently pull the ends of said articulated rollersoutwardly.
 13. The combination of claim 1, said massage means comprisinga first lever pivoted to the carriage, resilient means to rotate thefirst lever, a second lever pivoted to the first lever, and rollersmounted on said second lever.
 14. The combination of claim 1, said meansfor mounting said platform on said stand comprising resilient means. 15.Massaging apparatus comprising, a stand, a flexible platform, saidplatform comprising a central longitudinal sheet, aprons attached to thesides of said central sheet, means for mounting said platform on thestand, so that a person to be massaged may lie thereon, said means tomount said platform on said stand comprising resilient means connectingsaid central sheet with said stand, and resilient means connecting saidside aprons to said stand, rail means fixed to the stand, a carriage,means to mount said carriage for reciprocation on said rail means andbeneath said platform, means to reciprocate said carriage, and massagemeans mounted on said carriage for reciprocation therewith and rubbingagainst the underside of said platform to press said platform againstthe person lying on the platform, as said carriage is beingreciprocated.
 16. The combination of claim 15, said platform furthercomprising a head rest attached to one end of said central portion andresilient means to connect said head rest portion to said stand.
 17. Thecombination of claim 1, said platform being contoured to the shape of aperson''s body.
 18. The combination of claim 17, said platform beingpadded in several places.
 19. Massaging apparatus comprising, a stand, aflexible platform, means for mounting said platform on the stand, sothat a person to be massaged may lie thereon, rail means fixed to thestand, a carriage, a first lever pivoted to said carriage, spring meansto rotate said first lever, a second lever pivoted to said first lever,third and fourth levers pivoted to said second lever and rollers mountedon said third and fourth levers, means to mount said carriage forreciprocation on said rail means and beneath said platform, means toreciprocate said carriage, and massage means mounted on said carriagefor reciprocation therewith, and rubbing against the underside of saidplatform to press said platform against the person lying on theplatform, as said carriage is being reciprocated.
 20. The combination ofclaim 1 wherein said flexible line is of interconnected line means.